Goodbye for now
Well, that’s another Royal Ascot over. A dramatic final day on which the Queen had a winner in a dramatic race that involved the rider on the second losing his whip and then the first past the post having to survive a stewards’ inquiry. Ryan Moore proved he could ride and booted home three winners after a very mixed week for him when he was considered at fault by some people in a couple of races. Royal Ascot will be back next year and one thing’s for certain: the royal procession will be the same.
Queen Alexandra (5.35) result
1 Commissioned (A Kirby) 12-1
2 Cayirli (T J Murphy) 40-1
3 Clondaw Warrior (R L Moore) 7-2 Jt Fav
18 ran
Also: 7-2 Jt Fav Oriental Fox 4th
Non Runners: 15,20
They’re off in the Queen Alexandra ... First Mohican is slowly into stride ... Tommy Docc leads and Frosty Berry is prominent ... Cayirli takes the lead after two furlongs ... Simenon takes over as they pass the winning post for the first time and have a circuit to go ... At the halfway stage Agenor is last and Simenon still shows in front ... Shades Of Silver is second ... A mile to go and Oriental Fox is making a move ... Six furlongs to go and Shades of Silver gets closer ... On the turn for home and Simenon still leads ... Seaside Sizzler goes into second ... Cayirli with Commissioned going well and taking the lead ... Commissioned wins with Cayirli second and third was Clondaw Warrior.
Updated
Queen Alexandra Stakes (5.35) betting
- 4-1 Oriental Fox
- 4-1 Clondaw Warrior
- 9-1 Amour De Nuit
- 9-1 Magic Circle
- 11-1 Sandra Botticelli
- 12-1 Commissioned
- 14-1 Simenon
- 20-1 Pinzolo
- 22-1 The Minch
- 25-1 Frosty Berry
- 33-1 Grumeti
- 33-1 Cayirll
- 33-1 Tommy Docc
- 40-1 First Mohican
- 66-1 Seaside Sizzler
- 66-1 Shades Of Silver
- 100-1 Agenor
Queen Alexandra Stakes (5.35) preview
The last race at Royal Ascot is an extreme test of stamina, won twice by Willie Mullins in the past four years as well as by jumps trainers like Nicky Henderson and Gary Moore in the past decade. Mullins’s Clondaw Warrior, narrowly beaten in the Doncaster Cup, has an obvious chance with Ryan Moore aboard. Oriental Fox hacked up in last year’s race but is not so fresh this time and would prefer fast going. Sandro Botticelli must have more to offer after just five outings and has been keeping good company. For Sir Mark Prescott, Amour De Nuit has won five of his last seven. He has more to prove in this company and was well beaten in a Group Two here last year but is going the right way.
Wokingham Stakes (5.00) result
1 Outback Traveller (M Harley) 10-1
2 Brando (T Eaves) 7-1 Jt Fav
3 Glen Moss (P Makin) 25-1
4 Absolutely So (Oisin Murphy) 25-1
28 ran
Also: 7-1 Jt Fav The Happy Prince
Non Runner: 9
They’re off in the Wokingham Stakes ... Shared Equity and Ashpan Sam lead ... Majestic Moon prominent in the centre ... Poyle Vinny going well ... Shared Equity still there ... Outback Traveller appears out of the pack, and quickens up late to beat the fast-finishing Brando.
Wokingham Stakes (5.00 betting)
9-1 Brando
9-1 The Happy Prince
12-1 Buckstay
12-1 Outback Traveller
14-1 Spring Loaded
14-1 Toofi
Rest of betting here
Updated
Wokingham Stakes (5.00) preview
The last of the week’s tricky handicaps and another six-furlong sprint. The overnight rain might change things but it has begun to look in the last couple of days as if those drawn high, towards the stands’ side, might be at an advantage. Perhaps that will help Tupi, who ran Magical Memory to a neck in April when tried at this distance for the first time. First-time blinkers ought to assist and he looks a big price. Coulsty is another from the Richard Hannon yard wearing first-time blinkers but lacks the same evident scope to be ahead of his mark. The progressive Brando will be well fancied but has been raised 13lb for two races, despite having got beat the last time. Spring Loaded has grown into himself this season but his best form is on the all-weather. Flash Fire and Buckstay have shown they can cope with these big-field, straight-course races and their stamina will help them stay on at the finish.
Diamond Jubileee Stakes (4.20) result
1 Twilight Son (R L Moore) 7-2
2 Gold-Fun (C Soumillon) 7-1
3 Signs Of Blessing (O Peslier) 25-1
9 ran
Also: 3-1 Fav Magical Memory 4th
Non Runner: 3
They’re off in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes ... Undrafted reared and slowly away ... Signs Of Blessing has the lead ... Holler and Mattmu close up ... Twilight Son going well wiyj Signs Of Blessing clinging on ... Magical Memory comes fast but Twilight Son and Ryan Moore get there. That jockey again.
Me: "what happens when you meet the Queen in the ring before a race?"
— Katherine Ford (@KfordEquidia) June 18, 2016
Peslier: "well, there's no French kiss!" #RoyalAscot
Olivier Peslier, rider of Hardwicke Stakes winner Dartmouth, on meeting the Queen prior to mounting up.
''There's the owner. Receiving her prize from a grandchild'' - Johnathan Neesom @Racing_UK #brilliant :)
— Tony McCormick (@TonyMacRacing) June 18, 2016
Diamond Jubilee Stakes (4.20) betting
- 7-2 Twilight Son
- 7-2 The Tin Man
- 7-2 Magical Memory
- 15-2 Undrafted
- 8-1 Gold-Fun
- 10-1 Holler
- 12-1 Suedois
- 16-1 Mattmu
- 33-1 Signs Of Blessing
Diamond Jubilee Stakes (4.20) preview
A top-class sprint, rather lacking in numbers this year but not in quality. Magical Memory has been gradually working his way to the top of the tree, keeping on to bag a Group Two at York last time. He was edged out at Haydock in September, his only attempt on a Group One, but the winner, Twilight Son, is under suspicion after a disappointing return to action. Meanwhile, The Tin Man is coming through the ranks and appears, to me, a horse worth sticking with. He wasn’t quite ready for his first Group One tilt in October but seemed to have improved again when hacking up at Windsor on his reappearance. Undrafted, last year’s winner, is a powerful beast but probably needs a drier surface to show his best.
Updated
Dartmouth lands Hardwicke Stakes for the Queen
Dartmouth landed a famous success in the colours of the Queen in what was a dramatic Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Partnered by leading French jockey Olivier Peslier, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old was sent off at 10-1 to add to his previous victories this season at Chelmsford and Chester.
Peslier cut a confident figure in the saddle throughout, positioning his mount on the outside of the field before launching his challenge in the straight.
Dartmouth proved a willing partner, picking up to challenge for the lead heading inside the final furlong and while Highland Reel was a persistent threat, the Royal runner saw him off by a head.
The front two did come close together and a stewards’ inquiry was immediately called, although the outcome confirming the placings was swift. Almodovar ran a fine race from the front before eventually weakening into third place.
It was a 75th triumph at the showpiece meeting for Stoute, meaning he joins the late great Sir Henry Cecil as the winning-most trainer in Royal Ascot history.
Stoute said: “That’s a great mark to reach. I hope it doesn’t stop there. He’s a lovely, quality horse. Everybody in the yard is very fond of him. He’s stepped up all year. We put him into the John Porter, which was run at Chelmsford. He had another step up in the Ormonde Stakes and another one today.”
Peslier said: “The horse is relaxed and he came through well. When he’s in front he won’t stop. I’m very happy.” PA
Updated
Result stands after stewards' inquiry in the Hardwicke
Seamie not trying very hard to get the stewards to overturn the result 'i never had to stop riding', he says.
— Sun Favourite (@SunFave) June 18, 2016
Hardwicke Stakes (3.40) result
1 Dartmouth (O Peslier) 10-1
2 Highland Reel (J A Heffernan) 6-1
3 Almodovar (G Baker) 9-1
9 ran
Also: 6-4 Fav Exosphere, 16-1 Mount Logan 4th
Non Runner: 4
Oh by the way it is stewards’ INQUIRY
Stewards' inquiry or enquiry? Simon Heffer has the answer http://t.co/yGwYRiIuOT They are not always interesting http://t.co/PFfauy18Ue
— Tony Paley (@tonypaley) October 24, 2014
They’re off in the Hardwicke Stakes ... Wicklow Brave is slowly away ... and Almodovar leads early ... Simple Verse is prominent ... Wicklow Brave can’t be bothered ... Astronereus is up into second now at halfway ... Highland Reel is close up ... Turning for home and Almodovar leads in ... Highland Reel is coming with a run and he and Dartmouth fight it out ... photo finish ... Dartmouth wins it for the Queen
There is now a stewards’ inquiry
Updated
Ryan Moore has had two winners but is not in a very good mood as this extract from Racing UK makes clear.
You're now in the lead for the jockeys championship, that must give you particular satisfaction? Moore - 'Not particularly, no'.
— David Johnson (@davidjohnsonTF) June 18, 2016
Isaac Newton adds up for Moore and O'Brien
Sir Isaac Newton clung on grimly to land the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot.
Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old has endured a slightly underwhelming career so far, but hinted at better to come when third behind Wednesday’s Royal Hunt Cup winner Portage in a Listed event at the Curragh last month.
After being sent off at 7-1 for what was his first ever start in handicap company, the Galileo colt was produced with a well-timed challenge by Ryan Moore and while he was crying out for the line in the dying strides, he held on by half a length from Second Wave. Revolutionist was close-up in third.
The victory completed doubles on the day for the formidable O’Brien-Moore combination after winning the opening Chesham Stakes with odds-on favourite Churchill.
Moore said: “I had a very good trip round and he’s a high-class horse when things drop his way.
“We thought an awful lot of him last year. The trainer has done remarkably well to get him back winning here today.
“He’s definitely got the ability and hopefully racing will bring him forward and he’ll get better.” PA
Updated
Hardwicke Stakes (3.40) betting
- 13-8 Exosphere
- 6-1 Simple Verse
- 8-1 Beautiful Romance
- 9-1 Almodovar
- 9-1 Highland Reel
- 11-1 Dartmouth
- 20-1 Wicklow Brave
- 25-1 Mount Logan
- 28-1 Astronereus
Hardwicke Stakes (3.40) preview
If there’s one race in which to follow a trainer at the Royal meeting, this would be it. Sir Michael Stoute has won this Group Two for older horses a total of nine times, including six times in the past decade. But you’d still have a choice to make, as he runs two here and they head the market. Exosphere looks the one to me, having apparently improved bundles over the winter, cuffing Simple Verse and others at Newmarket in April. Stoute’s other one is Dartmouth, four times a winner in his last six but starting to look exposed and perhaps fortunate to hold off Wicklow Brave at Chester. The Irish raider reopposes but might prefer a longer distance. Astronereus is a course winner who put up a career best last time but Eagle Top would probably prefer a drier surface.
Updated
Wolferton Handicap (3.05) result
1 Sir Isaac Newton (R L Moore) 7-1
2 Second Wave (A Kirby) 20-1
3 Revolutionist (James McDonald) 9-1
15 ran
Also: 4-1 Fav Best Of Times, 12-1 Arthenus 4th
Non Runner: 10
And they’re off in the 3.05. Best Of Times is leading early ... Arthenus is right at the back ... Oceanographer and Noble Gift have taken the lead on the turn for home ... Sir Isaac Newton challenges, takes the lead and makes it a double for Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O’Brien ... Second wave gets second
Updated
@cobbycobbster In fairness, he's scrubbed up well since the picnic, with beautiful @hannafordchris1 pic.twitter.com/SpELGitx35
— Emma Berry (@collingsberry) June 18, 2016
Lord Huntingdon transformed (from earlier). What do you mean you’ve only just joined? Where have you been?
Wolferton Handicap (3.05)
- 7-2 Best Of Times
- 8-1 Maleficient Queen
- 8-1 Sir Isaac Newton
- 8-1 Oceanographer
- 9-1 Pacify
- 12-1 Revolutionist
- 14-1 Arthenus
- 20-1 Educate
- 25-1 Second Wave
- 25-1 Fire Fighting
- 28-1 Maverick wave
- 28-1 What About Carlo
- 28-1 Not So Sleepy
- 33-1 Battalion
- 40-1 Noble Gift
Hotpot Churchill has finest hour at Ascot
The heavily supported Churchill got favourite-backers off to the perfect start on the final day of Royal Ascot with victory in the Chesham Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien’s juvenile was only third on his racecourse debut at the Curragh last month, but was backed as if defeat was out of the question for his Berkshire assignment.
Always travelling well in the hands of Ryan Moore, the 8-11 market leader moved to the front with two furlongs still to run.
He started to wander a little when coming under pressure, and the late thrust of 25-1 shot Isomer made odds-on backers sweat, but Churchill passed the post half a length to the good.
Cunco, the first foal of the great Frankel and a winner on his Newbury debut, was far from disgraced in finishing third.
Moore said: “He’s a big, powerful, beautiful horse. He travelled nice and smooth and when he got there (the front) he was very green, but he’s a high-quality two-year-old. He’s a bit of a baby, but he can only improve and he’s one to look forward to.”
Part-owner Michael Tabor said: “You must remember it’s only his second run and he was very green. We think there should be a lot of improvement in him, so hopefully he’ll be a very nice horse in the future.
“He was Aidan’s number one fancy for the week and so he proved to be. We have not even discussed plans. You like to win here first and not jump ahead of yourself.”
Coral make Churchill a 10-1 shot for next year’s 2,000 Guineas, while he is the 16-1 favourite for the Derby with RaceBets.
O’Brien said: “He’s a big, powerful, raw baby. That’s what he is, as you can see by the size of him. He had one easy run at the Curragh, when he didn’t know what was happening.
“They went slow today and Ryan had him handy. He went on, but he didn’t know what to do.
“This horse is going to be a lovely fellow and we’ll now look for a Group race with him. He is not short of pace, as he travels very easily.”
Comparing him to Tuesday’s brilliant Coventry Stakes winner Caravaggio, the trainer added: “Caravaggio is very fast and a real sprinter. This horse has an awful lot of class.” PA
Updated
Preview: Wolferton Handicap (3.05)
Fiercely competitive, including a couple of horses with multiple recent wins to their names. But Maleficent Queen (unbeaten since May last year!) seems unfancied for some reason, perhaps because people imagine a 10lb hike for her fifth win will stop her in her tracks. Revolutionist has won twice on a much faster surface in May and a wide draw won’t help him but he’s game. Our Channel has also had a productive year but on the all-weather; turf is not his thing, it seems. I like Pacify, running in the Prince of Wales’s colours and for the trainer Ralph Beckett, who is practically hot to the touch right now. He was unlucky at Epsom in April and gave lumps of weight to the only horse that beat him at York in May. A case can be made for Educate but my hat is off to you if you can keep the faith with a talented horse that has somehow failed to win for almost three years.
Updated
Chesham Stakes (2.30) result
1 Churchill (R L Moore) 8-11 Fav
2 Isomer (J P Spencer) 25-1
3 Cunco (R Havlin) 7-2
13 ran
Also: 50-1 Mr Scaramanga 4th
Non Runners: 4,13
They’re away and running in the Chesham Stakes ... big roar from the crowd ... Churchill is away fast with Frankuus, who now takes the overall lead ... Thora Barber the outsider is close up ... Churchill travels well and is ready to pounce ... He takes a narrow lead and now kicks ahead ... he’s getting caught but just clings on tenaciously from Isomer and Cunco.
Churchill is the favourite in the first race at Ascot. He’s massive.
Its Frankel vs Galileo in the Chesham as CHURCHILL goes up against CUNCO & FRANKUUS.
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) June 18, 2016
Who are you backing? pic.twitter.com/aJeageaLM3
Updated
Chesham Stakes (2.30) betting
- 5-6 Churchill
- 4-1 Cunco
- 10-1 Frankuus
- 18-1 Aiming For Rio
- 20-1 Magillen
- 25-1 Isomer
- 28-1 Admiralty Arch
- 40-1 Masham Star
- 40-1 Justice Frederick
- 66-1 Thora Barber
- 80-1 Mr Scaramanga
- 150-1 Eldorado Creek
Preview: Chesham Stakes (2.30)
After Frankel’s first runner at Royal Ascot did him proud with a third place yesterday, he has two sons running for him here over a distance of seven furlongs that might be more suitable than the six at which Queen Kindly ran 24 hours ago. But frankly I wasn’t all that taken with Frankuus, a winner at Haydock recently. Instead, I’ll side with Cunco, the other Frankel, who behaved really badly at Newbury last month and ran as if he hadn’t a clue for half the race. He then shot past his rivals in a manner quite reminiscent of the sire and he’ll be dangerous over this extra furlong if there’s any improvement in his physique / professionalism. But Aidan O’Brien might have found another good one in Churchill, who was a major eye-catcher when running on for third at The Curragh last month. Even so, this is a major step up in class and on a much drier surface.
Updated
The Royal procession is on its way ...
It’s almost that time ... for the royal procession to wend its way down the centre of the track. I attended a Serpentine gallery exhibition by artist Mark Wallinger back in 1994 when one of his installations was a series of video monitors on top of wheeled flight cases, each isolating the royal carriage’s leisurely progress down the track on the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (respectively, as it was then) of Royal Ascot.
The British Council described the work thus: ‘Simultaneous footage exposes precise choreography: the Queen’s frozen smile and rigid curls, the tilt of her head, her gloved wave, the Duke of Edinburgh raising his top hat, the national anthem striking up. Appropriately for an event whose media coverage focuses on the parade of hats and dresses rather than the sport, here we have a close-up on clothes, on the Queen’s dolly mixture of pinks, tangerines, limes; the difference from day to day is barely discernible, just as the four BBC commentaries merge in a confused blather.’
Dettori v Moore for Royal Ascot top jockey
The race for the QIPCO Leading Jockey Award at Royal Ascot 2016 looks set to go down to the wire with Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore head to head. Dettori currently leads the way with four winners to Moore’s three.
Moore has ridden substantially more placed horses (four seconds to Dettori’s one) this week however, which could prove vital if the pair finish on the same number of winners and a countback on placed horses is required. Going into the final day, Moore has a full book of six rides, while Dettori is down to three mounts following the defection of Eagle Top in the Hardwicke Stakes.
Frankie Dettori’s rides today: 2.30pm Chesham Stakes - Magillen; 4.20pm Diamond Jubilee Stakes - Magical Memory; 5.35pm Queen Alexandra Conditions Race - Sandro Botticelli
Dettori is seeking to win the QIPCO Leading Jockey Award for a sixth time, having landed the honour in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2004. He has ridden 56 Royal Ascot winners at the start of day five, more than any other current jockey.
Ryan Moore’s rides today: 2.30pm Chesham Stakes - Churchill; 3.05pm Wolferton Handicap - Sir Isaac Newton; 3.40pm Hardwicke Stakes - Exosphere; 4.20pm Diamond Jubilee Stakes - Twilight Son; 5.00pm Wokingham Handicap - The Happy Prince; 5.35pm Queen Alexandra Conditions Race - Clondaw Warrior.
Updated
Lord Huntingdon, as sartorially elegant as ever #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/NUp8cRuXz4
— Emma Berry (@collingsberry) June 18, 2016
This man has won the Gold Cup. You want proof? Here you go. Julian Wilson introduces the highlights of Drum Taps’ win (rider one L Dettori) in 1992
Updated
The Royal Carriage List
The runners and riders are in. I want you to make a note of this as we will be returning to the topic at the time of the traditional royal procession down the track at 2pm.
1st Carriage: The Queen; The Duke of Edinburgh; Major General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne & Mr Anthony Oppenheimer
2nd Carriage: The Prince of Wales; The Duchess of Cornwall; Mr Roger Weatherby & Mrs Roger Weatherby
3rd Carriage: Mr John Warren; Lady Smyth-Osbourne; Mr Andrew Merriam & Mrs Andrew Merriam
4th Carriage: Vice Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt; Mrs Anthony Oppenheimer; Mr Ben Pauling & Mrs Ben Pauling
The ‘Impressions of the Turf’ exhibtion, which is on now until July 9th at the Osborne Studio Gallery in London, is well worth catching. You can find all the details by clicking on the link here.
Updated
Stoute one short of Cecil’s record
Sir Michael Stoute must have good prospects today of joining Sir Henry Cecil at the top of the all-time Royal Ascot trainers’ leaderboard. Watch out for both Exosphere and Dartmouth in the Hardwicke Stakes (3.40), a contest he has already nine winners in.
Sir Michael Stoute now has 74 #RoyalAscot winners, one behind Sir Henry Cecil's all-time record of 75... pic.twitter.com/v4rwZuYoPf
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 18, 2016
Updated
Fallon: the fear factor
Sticking to the birthday theme a video has emerged that will surprise many who have been on the receiving end of the famous Kieren Fallon stare. It is Fallon, who was back riding at Royal Ascot this week, who looks fearful at the 17th birthday party for his twins Brittany & Cieren.
@KFallonJockey walks into #WillGriggsOnFire 😂 he looks terrified!! pic.twitter.com/dbMUJ4K3Ov
— WiganJulie (@juliefallon1) June 18, 2016
Steady on Eddie
Many happy returns to Eddie Fremantle, the Observer’s former racing correspondent, who has been working for Racing UK at Royal Ascot this week . He’s having his celebrations today but is somewhat miffed (and perhaps he’s got a point) that the Queen’s seem to have been going on for quite some time.
The #Queen's Birthday is lasting as long as Halloween Fortnight, Bonfire Week & Christmas rolled into one.
— Eddie Fremantle (@eddietheshoe) June 18, 2016
2.30 Chesham Stakes
After Frankel’s first runner at Royal Ascot did him proud with a third place yesterday, he has two sons running for him here over a distance of seven furlongs that might be more suitable than the six at which Queen Kindly ran 24 hours ago. But frankly I wasn’t all that taken with Frankuus, a winner at Haydock recently. Instead, I’ll side with Cunco, the other Frankel, who behaved really badly at Newbury last month and ran as if he hadn’t a clue for half the race. He then shot past his rivals in a manner quite reminiscent of the sire and he’ll be dangerous over this extra furlong if there’s any improvement in his physique / professionalism. But Aidan O’Brien might have found another good one in Churchill, who was a major eye-catcher when running on for third at The Curragh last month. Even so, this is a major step up in class and on a much drier surface.
3.05 Wolferton Handicap
Fiercely competitive, including a couple of horses with multiple recent wins to their names. But Maleficent Queen (unbeaten since May last year!) seems unfancied for some reason, perhaps because people imagine a 10lb hike for her fifth win will stop her in her tracks. Revolutionist has won twice on a much faster surface in May and a wide draw won’t help him but he’s game. Our Channel has also had a productive year but on the all-weather; turf is not his thing, it seems. I like Pacify, running in the Prince of Wales’s colours and for the trainer Ralph Beckett, who is practically hot to the touch right now. He was unlucky at Epsom in April and gave lumps of weight to the only horse that beat him at York in May. A case can be made for Educate but my hat is off to you if you can keep the faith with a talented horse that has somehow failed to win for almost three years.
3.40 Hardwicke Stakes
If there’s one race in which to follow a trainer at the Royal meeting, this would be it. Sir Michael Stoute has won this Group Two for older horses a total of nine times, including six times in the past decade. But you’d still have a choice to make, as he runs two here and they head the market. Exosphere looks the one to me, having apparently improved bundles over the winter, cuffing Simple Verse and others at Newmarket in April. Stoute’s other one is Dartmouth, four times a winner in his last six but starting to look exposed and perhaps fortunate to hold off Wicklow Brave at Chester. The Irish raider reopposes but might prefer a longer distance. Astronereus is a course winner who put up a career best last time but Eagle Top would probably prefer a drier surface.
4.20 Diamond Jubilee Stakes
A top-class sprint, rather lacking in numbers this year but not in quality. Magical Memory has been gradually working his way to the top of the tree, keeping on to bag a Group Two at York last time. He was edged out at Haydock in September, his only attempt on a Group One, but the winner, Twilight Son, is under suspicion after a disappointing return to action. Meanwhile, The Tin Man is coming through the ranks and appears, to me, a horse worth sticking with. He wasn’t quite ready for his first Group One tilt in October but seemed to have improved again when hacking up at Windsor on his reappearance. Undrafted, last year’s winner, is a powerful beast but probably needs a drier surface to show his best.
5.00 Wokingham Handicap
The last of the week’s tricky handicaps and another six-furlong sprint. The overnight rain might change things but it has begun to look in the last couple of days as if those drawn high, towards the stands’ side, might be at an advantage. Perhaps that will help Tupi, who ran Magical Memory to a neck in April when tried at this distance for the first time. First-time blinkers ought to assist and he looks a big price. Coulsty is another from the Richard Hannon yard wearing first-time blinkers but lacks the same evident scope to be ahead of his mark. The progressive Brando will be well fancied but has been raised 13lb for two races, despite having got beat the last time. Spring Loaded has grown into himself this season but his best form is on the all-weather. Flash Fire and Buckstay have shown they can cope with these big-field, straight-course races and their stamina will help them stay on at the finish.
5.35 Queen Alexandra Stakes
The last race at Royal Ascot is an extreme test of stamina, won twice by Willie Mullins in the past four years as well as by jumps trainers like Nicky Henderson and Gary Moore in the past decade. Mullins’s Clondaw Warrior, narrowly beaten in the Doncaster Cup, has an obvious chance with Ryan Moore aboard. Oriental Fox hacked up in last year’s race but is not so fresh this time and would prefer fast going. Sandro Botticelli must have more to offer after just five outings and has been keeping good company. For Sir Mark Prescott, Amour De Nuit has won five of his last seven. He has more to prove in this company and was well beaten in a Group Two here last year but is going the right way.
Updated
Reason to be cheerful
Congratulations to thereason1986, who won our final Royal Ascot tipping competition yesterday on a final score of +30.75. He picked Sword Fighter (33-1) and Quiet Reflection (7-4), holding off fatdeano (+28), the only other entrant to pick Sword Fighter. Thanks so much to all of you who have played our competitions during the week. We don’t run one today, it being a Saturday, but feel free to comment below if you fancy one today.
Going and non-runners news
The going has changed to Good to Soft on both round and straight courses at Royal Ascot.
The going was changed yesterday at 12.15pm to Good to Soft on the straight course and Good to Soft, Soft in places (both from Soft) and remained so the rest of the day. It was dry during the day yesterday. There was less than half a millimetre of rain overnight.
Non -runners:
2.30pm: Walter Raleigh (respiratory infection)
3.05pm: Our Channel (lame)
3.40pm: Eagle Top (not eaten up)
4.20pm: Jungle Cat (off colour)
5.00pm: George Dryden (going)
5.35pm: Sureness (stiff)
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the final day of Royal Ascot. It’s far from the most prestigious day but it is the most popular and has been a huge success since the track decided to extend the Royal meeting and race on Saturday.
The Diamond Jubilee Stakes (4.20pm BST) is the feature race, but there will be plenty of interest in the match between Frankie ‘Mr Ascot’ Dettori and Ryan Moore to see who comes out as top jockey. Moore might have had three winners at the meeting so far but has had some well-publicised reverses and knowing what a perfectionist he is will be determined to overhaul Dettori, who currently has four winners on the board.
The opening race features two of the mighty Frankel’s sons while the Wokingham Handicap at 5.00 is one of the big betting races of the year. We have Chris Cook at the track and you’ll find all the latest news and comment here where you won’t miss a minute of the action.
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